Modi Announces Target of 500 GW Additional Non-Fossil Capacity in Next Decade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit in New Delhi on November 2, 2026, that India will seek to add 500 gigawatts of new non-fossil fuel power capacity over the next 10 to 11 years. He described the target as challenging but expressed confidence that the country would meet it.

India has already installed roughly 308 GW of non-fossil capacity, representing more than 55 percent of total installed power generation capacity of about 559 GW, according to Central Electricity Authority figures. The country met its Paris commitment to source half of installed capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025, five years ahead of the original 2030 deadline. Modi noted that India now ranks among the top three nations in solar and overall renewable capacity.

The new 500 GW addition would come on top of the existing commitment to reach 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. Modi said clean-energy investments over the past decade had helped India manage disruptions linked to the conflict in West Asia better than would otherwise have been the case. He projected that the sector could generate investment opportunities exceeding Rs 20 lakh crore, or about $220 billion, by the end of the decade.

Solar power accounts for the largest share of current non-fossil capacity, followed by wind and hydro. Domestic solar module manufacturing capacity has expanded from roughly 2 GW a decade ago to more than 200 GW. Cell manufacturing capacity stands near 40 GW. The government has linked further growth to transmission infrastructure, energy storage, and domestic manufacturing under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and related programs.

Modi also highlighted the PM Surya Ghar rooftop solar scheme, which has connected more than 65 lakh households. He called for a broader clean-cooking movement to reduce dependence on imported gas. The summit itself ran from November 2 to 5 at Bharat Mandapam and focused on investment, innovation, and manufacturing in the renewable sector.

Installed capacity figures do not automatically translate into the same share of actual electricity generated. Non-fossil sources still contribute a smaller proportion of total generation because of lower capacity factors relative to coal plants. Storage and grid flexibility will determine how much of the new capacity can be utilized reliably. Officials have identified transmission corridors and battery and pumped-storage projects as priorities for the next phase.

India attracted more than Rs 15 lakh crore in renewable investments over the past decade. Since the 2024 RE-INVEST summit, additional commitments of around Rs 6 lakh crore have been recorded. The government expects the next wave of investment to support both generation and the manufacturing of modules, cells, electrolyzers, and storage systems.

The announcement comes as global energy markets remain affected by the conflict involving Iran and related shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Higher fossil fuel prices have reinforced the economic case for domestic clean capacity in India. Whether the 500 GW addition materializes will depend on continued policy support, financing availability, and the pace of grid and storage development over the coming decade.